If we talk about famous bridges across the United States of America, there are over 600,000 bridges located all around the nation. Bridges are an essential part of the infrastructure of any nation and can provide accessibility from one part of the land to another.
Many of us are familiar with the famous ones like Brooklyn Bridge or Golden Gate Bridge, but out of all the states in the USA, it has not been easy to narrow down to a few best bridges. Most of the bridges also came under scenic beauty and historical importance in the nation.
Table of Contents
In this article, we will sort down to 15 famous bridges in the United States that provide accessibility to two areas and a visual treat to the human eye.
1. Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California
The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge, a one-mile-wide (1.6 km) strait separating San Francisco Bay from the Pacific Ocean. The bridge carries U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1 across the strait, connecting the American city of San Francisco, California, located at the northernmost point of the San Francisco Peninsula, to Marin County.
It is a component of the U.S. Bicycle Route 95 and carries both pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Not only bicycles, but it is also open to bikes, cars, and pedestrians.
The bridge is one of the most well-known representations of San Francisco and California, having been named one of the Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Engineer Joseph Strauss created the first version of it in 1917.
The best view of this beautiful architecture can be captured from the Welcome Center, Fort Point Historic Site, Baker Beach, and Crissy Field.
2. Brooklyn Bridge, New York City, New York
The Brooklyn Bridge connects the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn across the East River in New York City and is a hybrid cable-stayed/suspension bridge.
The Brooklyn Bridge was the first fixed crossing over the East Rives and was opened on May 24, 1883. At the time of its opening, it was also the longest suspension bridge in the world, measuring 1,595.5 feet in length with a deck 127 feet above mean high water.
The Brooklyn Bridge was formally renamed in 1915. Previously it was called the New York and Brooklyn Bridge or the East River Bridge. This bridge is on the southern side of the four bridges that come under the toll-free vehicular bridges.
It is one of the famous bridges and it only has six lanes for passenger vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. It will take around an hour and a half if you think of crossing the bridge on foot.
3. George Washington Bridge, Fort Lee, New Jersey
The Manhattan neighborhood of New York City and Fort Lee, New Jersey, are connected by the double-decked George Washington Bridge, which spans the Hudson River. The bridge is one of the most famous in the United States, named after the country’s first president.
The main span of the 4,760-foot-long George Washington Bridge has a length of 1,450 meters. From its opening in 1931 until the Golden Gate Bridge in 1937, it held the record for the longest central bridge span in the world. At the time of its construction, the George Washington Bridge was once known as the Fort Lee Bridge or Hudson River Bridge and is often referred to unofficially as the G.W. Bridge, the GWB, the G.W., or the George.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey owns the bridge, a bi-state governmental organization that manages the port’s infrastructure. Moreover, this bridge also falls under the category of a suspension bridge and is the busiest motor vehicle bridge in the world. To enjoy the scenic beauty of this bridge, it is recommended to use a pedestrian pathway to cross it.
4. Bixby Creek Bridge, Big Sur, California
Due to its beautiful design, graceful architecture, and gorgeous environment, Bixby Creek Bridge, also known as Bixby Canyon Bridge, is one of the most photographed bridges in California. It is located on the Big Sur coast. It is an open-spandrel reinforced concrete arch bridge. Monterey County, on State Route 1, the bridge is located 120 miles south of San Francisco and 13 miles south of Carmel.
At 360 feet, it was the largest concrete arch span in the California State Highway System. It was the tallest single-span arch bridge when it was finished standing at 45 feet, and it is still among the tallest and one of the most famous bridges in the world present today.
5. Niagara Falls International Rainbow Bridge, Niagara Falls, New York
One of the most well-known bridges in the U.S., this stunning building between New York and Ontario is frequently referred to simply as the Rainbow Bridge (and Canada). The view from the bridge is truly what brings visitors here, even though it is pretty well-known and of the most famous bridges worldwide.
There probably isn’t a more breathtaking setting than Niagara Falls. Some people even think this view is preferable to the one from the viewing platform. You can cross the bridge by foot or car, but remember to bring cash for the toll ($1 for walking and $4 for driving, roundtrip). A passport is also required because this is an international crossing.
6. Mackinac Bridge, Mackinaw City, Michigan
The Mackinac Bridge connects the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan state. It is also a type of suspension bridge that is a 26,372-foot-long bridge, sometimes referred to as “Mighty Mac” and “Big Mac.” It was constructed in 1957 and is the longest suspension bridge in the Western Hemisphere between anchorages and ranks as the world’s 27th-longest main span.
The Mackinac Bridge spans the straits and connects Lake Michigan and Huron to the Great Lakes Circle Tour. The bridge links Mackinaw City, which is in the south, to St. Ignace, which is in the north.
This bridge was designed by David B. Steinman, an engineer, which had been planned since the 1880’s but took decades to get going, and was finally finished in 1957. The bridge took several years of battling to start construction before being finished in 1957.
This bridge has a view of water on both sides, and those who fear water or bridges can stay in terror while crossing the bridge. Overall, this architecture is convenient for commuters that also places it one the list of famous bridges in the USA.
7. Seven Mile Bridge, Florida Keys
The Seven Mile Bridge is located in Monroe County, Florida, in the Florida Keys. It is a portion of the Overseas Highway in the Keys, a component of the 2,369-mile U.S. Route 1, one of the longest bridges at the time of its construction. It links Little Duck Key in the Lower Keys to Knight’s Key, a Middle Keys island part of Marathon, Florida.
Two bridges cross this area. The older bridge is accessible to pedestrians and cyclists; the modern bridge is open to motor traffic. Counted amongst the famous bridges in the USA, it was built as part of the Florida East Coast Railway’s Key West Extension, also known as the Overseas Railroad, from 1909 to 1912 and was initially named the Knights Key-Pigeon Key-Moser Channel-Pacet Channel Bridge.
8. Glen Canyon Dam Bridge, Page, Arizona
The Glen Canyon Bridge, also known as the Glen Canyon Dam Bridge, spans the Colorado River in Coconino County, Arizona. It is mainly located on the outskirts of Arizona. The United States Bureau of Reclamation first constructed the bridge to make it easier to transfer supplies for the Glen Canyon Dam, located 865 feet downstream and right next to it.
One of the tallest bridges in the United States, the two-lane bridge has a deck 700 feet above the river and an overall length of 1,271 feet. It was finished in 1959 and held the record for the highest arch bridge ever.
Mesmerizing formations cover the bridge, made up of red rock, and are a compilation of ancient geology and modern structure. You can either drive, walk, or use a bike to take the tour by paying $5.00.
9. Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Tampa, Florida
The Sunshine Skyway Bridge, earlier known as the Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge, connects Terra Ceia and St. Petersburg, Florida. This famous bridge comprises two long beam bridges with a central cable-stayed bridge.
The Sunshine Skyway is the second to span the location and opened its doors in 1987. The American Bridge Company constructed it, with the Figg & Muller Engineering Group providing the design. Through Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, and Manatee County, the four-lane bridge carries U.S. Route 19 and Interstate 275.
It is a toll road where two-axle cars going in either direction must pay a $1.50 toll, which can be paid in cash or through the state’s SunPass program.
The original Sunshine Skyway was built west of the current building and included a central truss bridge with two lanes. A second span was added in 1971 after it was finished in 1954.
Crossing this bridge is also a frightening task for those who are afraid of tunnels and bridges. However, driving through this bridge will serve you with one of the best views in the state.
10. Royal Gorge Bridge, Canon City, Colorado
Royal Gorge Bridge is a 360-acre amusement park situated along the edge of the Royal Gorge on both ends of the bridge. It consists of a walkway made of wooden planks, and it is mainly used as a tourist attraction in Canon City, Colorado. And it is something that places it amongst the famous bridges in the US.
From 1929 until 2001, the bridge held the title of tallest in the world. The bridge is still the tallest in the United States; up until 2012, it was among the ten tallest in the world.
11. London Bridge, Lake Havasu City, Arizona
London Bridge is located in Lake Havasu City in Arizona. The 1831 London Bridge was the last undertaking of engineer John Rennie, which his son finished. By 1962, it could not support the increased traffic load, and the City of London sold the bridge in April 1968 to make room for a successor.
Robert P. McCulloch, the buyer, was a businessman and real estate developer who established Lake Havasu City. He built the bridge to draw tourists and potential buyers of retirement residences to his properties there. This is one of the famous bridges, built in 1971 along with a canal, and connects a Colorado River island with the city’s core.
12. New River Gorge Bridge, Fayetteville, West Virginia
The New River Gorge Bridge is situated in the eastern United States; the Appalachian mountain of West Virginia spans the New River Gorge at 3030 feet. The bridge is considered the largest single-span arch, standing at 1700 feet long for 26 years.
This bridge is the longest steel bridge in the western hemisphere and offers breathtaking views when crossed. It is also one of the most picturesque places in West Virginia. Moreover, Fayetteville town also organizes an annual festival for this beautiful architecture. This festival is a perfect opportunity to witness the fun events around the bridge.
13. Chesapeake Bay Bridge, Annapolis, Maryland
Chesapeake Bay Bridge, also called the Bay Bridge by the locals and officially called the Gov. William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge, is a significant dual-span bridge in Maryland in the United States of America, connecting Stevensville and Annapolis.
The Gov. William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge is made in honor of William Preston Lane Jr., the 52nd Governor of Maryland. This project came into existence in the late 1940s, and eventually began the project construction after years of political anger and public controversy.
The original span was the most extended continuous over-water steel structure in the world when it was first built and opened in 1952. This bridge is also known as one of the scariest and most famous bridges in the world because of its height from the water, the frequency of high winds, and the low guardrails.
14. Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, New Orleans, Louisiana
The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, referred to as The Causeway, is a fixed link that spans Lake Pontchartrain in southeast Louisiana, United States. The Causeway is one of the longest bridges in the world and is one of the most famous bridges in the United States.
The longer bridge measures 23.83 miles in length. The Causeway’s southernmost point is in Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans on the south shore, and Mandeville, Louisiana, a north shore suburb of New Orleans, serves as the northern terminus. Those who fear bridges and heights should avoid crossing this bridge.
15. Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, New York, New York
Staten Island and Brooklyn are connected by the suspension bridge known as the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in New York City. This bridge is not much celebrated as the Brooklyn Bridge in the city, but it is still one of the most famous bridges in the United States.
It crosses the Narrows, a body of water connecting Lower New York Bay and the Atlantic Ocean with the more secluded Upper New York Bay. This bridge is named after Giovanni da Verrazzano, the first European explorer to visit New York Harbor and the Hudson River in 1524.
The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge has a double deck with 13 lanes for traffic in total, along with a double deck. For those who want to take pictures of this bridge, it is recommended to capture this structure sensibly. The best view of the bridge can be captured from Upper New York Bay, the coast of Sandy Hook, and Fort Wadsworth.
Summary
Bridges are more than just physical buildings that link one land area to another. They are engineering marvels that reflect a particular time and culture of a place, mark history, and arouse wonder and ingenuity in anybody who sees them. We hope these famously known bridges will inspire you to add them to your next travel plan.
